Transportable dock



June 16, 1936. J. E. KLlNE 2,044,703

TRANSPORTABLE DOCK Filed June s, 1955 2 Shets-Sheet 1 q- H I H' Il June 16,1936. J. E. KLINE I 2,044,703

TRANSPORTABLE DOCK Filed June 5, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 16, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I i 1 7 'innnsrzi x in noon v i I Appucizzzzflfnfif t zlfizz 25,141

10 Claims. The present invention relates to improvements in decks of the class adapted to be employed for boat landings and similar purposes,'and one of the primary objects of the invention is to provide a dock of this class the construction of which renders it readily transportable so that it may be built in parts or sections in convenient form for transportation and which may bereadily assembled at the place where it is to, be used, and which, after being installed in a lake, bay, stream or other body of water, may be readily disassembled and removed for storage during the winter or whfle bled when desired.

Another object is to provide a dock of this any desired length of the dock, the sectional construction of the dock enabling any number of additional units to be added at any time, if desired.

Another object is to provide a dock of this class which, while of a transportable structure, is

rugged and possesses maximum strength and rigidity when erected. a

Another object 01 the invention is to provide novel means for mounting wooden stringer members of the dock in a manner which will enable rain or other water to drain immediately therefrom, thereby avoiding deterioration of such wooden members underweather influence, such mountings securely and rigidly supporting such members although permitting them to be easily and quickly dismounted when the dock is to be removed or disassembled.

To these and other ends, the invention consists 'in certain improvements and combinations and arrangements of parts all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the features of novelty being pointed out more particularly in the claims at the end'of this specification.

' In the accompanying drawings:

'Figure 1- is a side elevation of a transportable dock constructed in accordance withthe present invention:

Figure 2 is a. top plan view of the dock structure shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top plan view, on an enlarged scale, of an end of one of the dock units;

Figure 4 is a detail side elevation 01' the structure shown in Fig. 3 as viewed from the right in that figure;

Figure 5 is an elevation, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of one end oi one 01' the dock units;

not in use, and readily reassemstringer shown in Fig. 8:

Figure 10 is a detail perspective view of one or the reinforcing stringer pins:

Figure 11 is a detail perspective view of one of 10 the stringer locking or retaining dogs;

Figure 12 isa top plan view or a portion of one end of one of the dock units, showing modifled means for mounting and retaining the longitudinal stringers;

Figure 13 is a vertical section taken on the. line l3|3 in Fig. 12; and

Figure 14 is a detail vertical section taken on the line "-44 in Fig. 13.

Similar parts are designated by the same reierence characters in the diflerent figures.

The present invention provides a dock, pier,

boat landing or similar structure suitable for use along the shore or edge of a lake, bay, stream or other body of water to serve as a boat landing or deck and for similar purposes, which may be constructed in sections or units to provide a dock of any desired length, and the sections or units oi! which are composed of parts or elements which, before assembling, are in convenient form for transportation or storage and which, after assembly or erection, provide a dock structure which is rugged and sufliciently rigid to resist collapsing, the sections or units and the parts orelements composing them, however, being easily and quickly dismountable so that the dock may be readily transported from one place to another or may be stored during the winter or while not in use.

The preferred embodiments of the invention 4 are shown in the accompanying drawings and will be hereinafter described in detail, but it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted to the precise construction shown since equivalent constructions are contemplated and such will be included within the scope oi. the claims.

, In the present instance, and as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the dock comprises a plurality of sections or units A, B and C, and while three units are shown, it is to be understood that dlflerent 0 numbers of units may be used according to the desired length of the dock. The diflerent sections or units may be 01' similar construction so that a description of one will suilice for all of the units. Each of the units comprises a pair of longitudinal stringers l composed preferably of planks of wood of suitable cross section to afford the requisite rigidity, these stringers being set vertically or on edge and having planks or boards 2 nailed or otherwise secured crosswise to their upper edges, as by galvanized nails 3 or other water-proof securing means, these planks forming the deck or floor of the dock. Preferably the adjacent edges of the deck planks 2 are spaced apart as shown in Fig. 3 to provide for drainage of rain or other water and to allow for swelling and shrinkage of these deck planks. Each section or unit of the dock also comprises a transverse yoke 4 for supporting the longitudinal stringers of adjacent sections. Each yoke, which is preferably composed of a solid casting of iron or other suitable metal, is of a length to extend between and somewhat beyond the longitudinal stringers I, the yoke being cast or otherwise provided with pairs of vertical flanges 5 which project laterally from each side thereof adjacent to its ends, the pairs of flanges projecting from one side of the yoke being preferably alined with those projecting from the other side thereof, and the pairs of flanges at each side of the yoke being spaced apart a distance equal to the lateral spacing apart of the longitudinal stringers I, so that the ends of the stringers of the respective dock section may flt into the spaces between the respective pairs of flanges. Each yoke is provided at the ends thereof beyond the pairs of flanges thereon, with substantially vertical bores 6 whichmay be cored or otherwise formed in the yoke, and a pair of supports are provided for each yoke, each yoke support comprising a post I of cylindrical form or round cross section and composed of a solid round rod or preferably of a galvanized iron pipe as shown, and each yoke support also comprises a base or foot 8 preferably composed of a casting of iron or other suitable'metal having a flat base flange 9, a vertical stiffening or reinforcing web in and a central boss H, the latter being cored or otherwise formed with a cylindrical socket I! which is closed at the bottom and is adapted to receive the lower end of the respective post I, a set screw l3 being threaded into a side of the boss to clamp the lower end of the post therein, and thereby secure the support to the lower end of the post. The yoke 4 is secured adjustably at the proper height on the respective pair of supporting posts I according to the height of the dock above the bottom of the lake or other body of water, by a pair of set screws H threaded into a side of the respective end of the yoke so that they will clamp the respective post I within the respective bore 6. In order to increase the lateral stability of the dock, the bores 6 in the ends of each yoke are preferably splayed or inclined outwardly and downwardly, so that the supporting posts I for each end of each yoke will diverge downwardly and outwardly, thereby increasing the lateral distance between the bases 8 for each yoke, the lateral spacing of the bases increasing with an increase in the height of the yoke above the bases of the supports and thereby affording increased lateral stability for the dock as the height of the dock above the bottom of the body of water is increased, thus resisting any tendency of the dock to weave or twist.

The present invention provides novel means for detachably mounting the longitudinal stringers I between the pairs of flanges on the respective yoke. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 3 to 9 inclusive, the bottom of the space between each pair of flanges 5 is open except for a stringer support l5 which extends across this space and is preferably in the form of a rib which is cast integrally with the respective pair of flanges 5, this rib being spaced 5 a suitable distance from the inner wall of the space between the flanges, and each end of each stringer is formed in its lower edge with a notch i6 which is correspondingly spaced from the adjacent end of the stringer and is adapted to re- 10 ceive the respective rib i5 when the stringer is inserted between the flanges and lowered with the notch IS in position to receive the rib l5. Preferably, the rib I5 is beveled or tapered upwardly and the notch I6 is correspondingly bev- 15 eled or tapered, sothat as the stringer is lowered into place between the flanges 5, the rib i5 will have a wedging or tightening fit in the notch and will also cause the end of the stringer to drift into position in tight engagement with 20 the inner vertical wall between the flanges, the end H of the stringer being cut off square so that it will flt rigidly against the sides of the yoke between the flanges. In order to reinforce the lower edge of each stringer between the notch 25 i6 and the adjacent end of the stringer, a hole i8 is drilled or bored into the stringer from its' lower edge immediately adjacent to the outer wall of the notch 16 therein, and a stringer reinforcing pin i9, composed preferably of metal of round 30 cross section and of adequate size is driven upwardly into the hole l8 until the lower end of the pin is flush with the lower edge of the stringer, this stringer reinforcing pin reinforcing the end of the respective stringerand preventing breaking of the lower edge thereof between the notch i6 and the adjacent end of the stringer under the strain imposed by the stringer supporting rib l5.

Means is provided for removably retaining each end of each stringer in engagement with the respective stringer supporting rib i 5 although permitting the stringer to be removed when desired. Such retaining means, as shown in Figs. 3, 5, 6, and 11, comprises a dog 20 having a hook 2| on one end and an aperture 22 at its other end to receive a pivot screw 23 which is secured in a side of the respective stringer adjacent to an end thereof. Each dog and its securing screw 23 is so located on the respective end of each stringer as to enable the hook 2| on the dog to be swung'into a position beneath the lower edge of an adjacent flange 5 on the yoke when such end of the stringer is lowered into place between the flanges, the dog thus preventing lifting or upward displacement of the stringer so that the respective end of the stringer will be locked in supported relation with the respective supporting rib l5. When the dock is to be disassembled, these dogs 20 may be swung upwardly or away from the lower edges of the stringers, thereby unlocking the respective ends of the stringers so that they may be lifted and thereby removed from between the flanges on the yokes, the retaining dogs being'then lifted upwardly from the lower edges of the stringers so that they will not become broken in the handling or storing of the dock sections, as when the stringers and deck planking composing the sections of the dock are stored one upon or against another. The screw 23 is preferably screwed sufficiently tight in the stringer to frictionally hold the retaining dog 20 in either its retaining or released position.

, In the embodiment of the invention shown in the other end'ot this section, with the stringers Figs, 12 to 14 inclusive, the construction may be the same as that hereinbeiore described with the exception that the longitudinal stringers I are formed without the notches in the lower edges thereof but instead are formed near each end with a transverse bore 25, and the pairs or flanges 5 at each end of each yoke l are not provided with the stringer supporting rib hereinbefore described, although the space between the flanges is open at the bottom for drainage or rain or other water, but the flanges l of each pair.

are formed with apertures 20 which are alined with one another and are adapted to aline with the bore or aperture II in the end of a stringer, and a pin 21 is provided for removably supporting an end .or a stringer between the flanges. this pin, which is preferably composed o1 metal and isround in cross section, having a central portion of a diameter to pass through one or the other or the apertures 26 in the flanges 5' and to fit closely in the bore or aperture 25 in the stringer, the ends of this pin being of reduced diameter and forming shoulders 2. which are spaced apart a distance somewhat less than the spacing apart or the flanges 5- and are adapted to abut against-the inner sides or these flanges under the weight or the stringer through which the pin extends, thereby preventing accidental displacement or the pin from its stringer supporting position. -In this construction, each stringer can be readily dismounted from the yoke, when the dock is to be dismantled, by lifting the stringer until the bore or hole 25 in the stringer is alined axially with the apertures 26 in the flanges 5, whereupon the pin 21 may be pushed endwise from the stringer and the flanges and the stringer will then be free for removal.

In erecting or installing a transportable dock constructed in accordance with the present invention, one end or one of the sections or units. such as the section A, is placed on the shore and I mounted between the pairs 01' flanges on a yoke, is supported at the proper height above the water and the bottom oi the body of water by extending the supporting posts I downwardly so thatthe bases I on the lower ends thereof rest on the bottom or the body of water, the yoke at the outer end or this section being rigidly supported at the adjusted height by tightening of the-set screws It. The next section or unit B may then be placed in position, the inner ends of its stringers being mounted between the flanges at the outer side or the yoke which is at the outer end or the section A and the outer ends of the stringers or the section B being mounted between the flanges or a yoke at the outer end of this section, and the sup rtin p sts I on the outer end of the section B may then be extended downwardly until their bases I rest on the bottom or the body of water and the set screws M in this yoke may then be tightened to rigidly support the outer end or the section B at the desired height, and the next section C or any desired number of additional sections may be similarly placed in position and adjusted to the proper height, the number or sections s the stringer-strum the stringer supportin ribs II. or by removing the locking pins 21, it then being possible to store the stringers with the deck planks thereon in a pile, and when the dock is dismantled, it is in condition to be readily transported rrom one place to another, 11 desired.

' By forming each end 01' each longitudinal stringer square and locking each end or each; stringer at or near its lower edge against withdrawal from between the respective pairs or flanges on each yoke. by the stringer supporting ribs II or the pins 21, each section or unit or the dock will resist any tendency of the same to move longitudinally since the upper portions or the ends of the stringers will abut against the on the yokes at the ends of the respective dock 2 section, accidental dismantling or displacement of the stringers in relation to the supporting yokes will be-prevented.

Since each unit or section of thedock comprises a pair or the longitudinal stringers having the 25 deck planking secured thereon, a yoke at one end thereof provided with one or the other or the means for detachably supporting and securing the respective ends oi! the stringers between the vertical flanges on one side at the yoke, and supportson which the yoke is vertically adjustable, the units oi! any desired number may be readily assembled or erected to iorm the dock, it being merely necessary to add each unit to the previously erected unit, the ends at the stringers of the added unit, fltting into place between the pairs or flanges projecting from the outer side or the yoke on the outer end or the previously erected unit and being detachably supported and secured thereto by the stringer mounting means herein-- before described, which it is to be understood, are provided on both ends or both stringers of each unit, so that the ends oi the stringers of each unit may be mounted interchangeably on the different yokes comprising the dock.

The sectional or unit construction of the dock not only enables the dock to be readily transported or stored but it also enables the dock to be constructed of any desired length by using diti'erent numbers of sections, and one or more sections may be added whenever desired. Since the difl'erent sections are or the same width, they may be led interchangeably, each yoke and its supports serving to interchangeably support one end or one section and an end or another section. I claim as my invention:--

1. A transportable dock comprising deck-supporting longitudinal stringers, a transverse yoke having a pair of opposed flanges extending there- 60 from adjacent to each end to receive the ends of the respective stringers between them, the space between said flanges being open at the bottom and means extending between said flanges tor rigidly but removably securing said ends or the 05 stringers between the respective pairs or on the yoke.

2. A transportable dock comprising deck-supporting longitudinal stringers, a transverse yoke having a pair of opposed flanges extending therefrom adjacent to each end to receive the ends or the respective stringers between them, the bottom of the space between the being open and means extendingacrossthespacebetweeneach pairornangesandens s stherespective' stringer to removably secure the latter in position.

3. A transportable dock comprising deck-supporting longitudinal stringers, a transverse yoke having a pair of opposed flanges extending therefrom adjacent to each end to receive the ends of the respective stringers between them, the bottom of the space between the flanges being open, and a stringer support rigidly connected to the flanges and extending across the space between them and supporting the respective stringer.

4. A transportable dock comprising a longitudinal deck-supporting stringer having anotch in its lower edge adjacent to an end thereof. a stringer supporting yoke having a pair of later-'- ally-spaced vertical flanges projecting therefrom,"

and a stringer support rigidly connected to said flanges and extending across the space between them and removablv engageable with said notch in the lower edge of the stringer.

5. A transportable dock comprising a longitudinal deck-supporting stringer having a notch in its lower edge adjacent to an end thereof and a pin extending into its lower edge adjacent to said notch, a stringer supporting yoke having a pair of laterally-spaced vertical-flanges projecting therefrom, and a stringer support rigidly connected to said flanges and extending across the space between them and removably engageable with said notch in the lower edge of the stringer.

6. A transportable dock comprising a longitudinal deck-supporting stringer having anotch in its lower edge adjacent to an end thereof, a stringer supporting yoke having a pair of laterally-spaced vertical flanges projecting therefrom, a stringer support rigidly connected to said flanges and extending across the space between them and removably engageable with said notch in the lower edge of the stringer, and a dog pivotally mounted on the stringer and engageable with one of said flanges to retain the stringer in engagement with said stringer support.

7. A transportable dock comprising a longitudinal deck-supporting stringer having a transverse aperture extending horizontally therethrough, a yoke having a pair of laterally-spaced vertical flanges projecting therefrom and having apertures therein adapted to register with said aperture in the stringer, and a stringer supporting pin ers, the bottom'of the space between each pair of said flanges being open, means extending between each pair of said flanges for rigidly but removably supporting the ends of the stringers in positions between the respective pairs of flanges, and upright supports vertically adjustable in the ends of the yoke.

9. A transportable dock comprising pairs of alined longitudinal deck-supporting stringers, a

transverse yoke having pairs of laterally-spaced vertical flanges extending from its opposite sides adjacent to its ends to receive the respective ends of the stringers between them, the bottom of the space between each pair of flanges being open, and means extending between and supported on each pair of said flanges and cooperative with the respective ends of the stringers for supporting them.

10. A transportable dock comprising longitudinally spaced units, each unit embodying a pair of laterally-spaced longitudinal stringers, a transverse yoke having pairs of laterally-spaced vertical flanges extending from its opposite sides adjacent to its ends, the bottom of the space between each pair of said flanges being open, the pairs of flanges at one side of the yoke adapted to receive the respective ends .of the stringers of one unit and the pairs of flanges at the other side of the yoke adapted to receive the respective ends of the stringers of the next adjacent unit, means supported by and extending between each pair of said flanges for removably securing the ends of the stringers in place between the respective pairs of flanges, and a pair of supports vertically adjustable in the respective ends oi. the yoke, and having supporting bases at their lower ends..

JOSEPH E. KLINE. 

